what era

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what era" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when inquiring about a specific time period in history or context. Example: "Can you tell me what era this painting is from?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

His biggest mistake was his failure to realise what era he was living in.In this section They're (just about) off!

The Economist

I don't know what era he's in.

The Guardian - Sport

What era does she think her mother lived in?

The Guardian - Opinion

You might wonder what era the title refers to.

The Guardian

So if he drove again, what era would he choose?

The Guardian - Sport

What Era Do You Wish You Had Lived In? What Are Your Favorite Keepsakes from Childhood?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

They have borrowed from all those bands, but they have also done what era-defining bands are supposed to do: they have made all their predecessors seem — and sound — old.

The New York Times - Arts

It was the first goal from a set-piece that Palace have conceded in the Pulis era, and what an era it has been.

Independent

New Era is the game's main sponsor, although nowhere in the official program does it say what New Era is.

The New Yorker

What an era of beige, nondescript awfulness.

The Guardian - Sport

"We're no longer in the 'What's FM' era".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When asking about a specific time, provide context. For example, "What era did Art Deco flourish in?"

Common error

Avoid using "what era" when you need to specify a precise year or date. "What year" or "when" are more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what era" primarily functions as an interrogative phrase, used to inquire about the specific period or age to which something belongs. This usage is supported by Ludwig, which identifies the phrase as grammatically correct and commonly found in diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Science

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what era" serves as an interrogative phrase used to determine the specific period or age of something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically sound and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, media, and online references. While versatile, it's best to provide context and avoid using it for precise dates, opting instead for terms like "when". Alternatives include "which period" or "which time period". Overall, "what era" is a reliable and commonplace phrase for inquiring about temporal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

which period

Focuses on a span of time, similar to "what era", but can be more general.

which time period

Similar to "what era", but explicitly uses 'time period' for clarity.

what epoch

Uses a more formal and technical term for a period of time.

what age

Synonymous to “what era” but it is more general.

what timeframe

Replaces "era" with a more general term for a period of time.

what point in history

More descriptive, explicitly referring to a specific moment in historical time.

what stage

Implies the period is a part of a process or development.

which phase

Similar to 'stage', suggesting a period within a larger cycle or process.

what part of history

Broader than "what era", referring to any segment of the past.

which chapter in history

Uses a literary metaphor to describe a period in time, indicating a distinct segment of a larger narrative.

FAQs

How can I use "what era" in a sentence?

You can use "what era" to inquire about the time period something belongs to. For example, "What era is this building from?" or "In what era did the dinosaurs live?"

What's a more formal way to ask "what era" something is from?

You could use "which period" or "which time period" as more formal alternatives to "what era".

What are some common topics when asking "what era" something is from?

It's commonly used when discussing art, history, fashion, or architecture. For example, "What era is this painting from?" or "What era influenced this fashion trend?"

Is "what era" the same as asking "when" something happened?

Not exactly. "What era" refers to a broader period of time, while "when" implies a specific point in time or a particular year.